When the boss is absent or busy, he might trust you to compose and sign some letters on his behalf. Some bosses prefer all correspondence be sent out in their name only, while others are fine with the secretary or administrative assistant signing their own names. There is a professional method of signing the letter in either situation. You might start signing routine letters on the boss’s behalf in the beginning but progress to more important correspondence later.

Step 1

Read copies of letters the boss has written for a better idea of the boss’s style of writing. For instance, note whether the boss uses concise or lengthy sentences.

Step 2

Compose a letter using the same style and language your boss would use. This makes it more believable for the recipient, especially those who have received correspondence from the boss in the past.

End with a closing that is appropriate for the type of letter you are writing. “Sincerely Yours” is a common way to end formal letters.

Step 4

Sign the boss’s signature after the closing, if the boss has given permission. Before you sign the letter, practice writing the signature until it is close to the boss's. Type the boss's name under the signature.

Step 5

Sign your name, if the boss is comfortable with the recipient knowing that you composed the letter on her behalf. On the line beneath your signature, write "for" and type your boss's name.

Tip

Keep a copy of every letter you sign for the boss in addition to other outgoing letters, in case problems arise in the future. In “Be a Kickass Assistant,” Heather Beckell suggests stapling the copy to the original incoming letter if it is a response.

About the Author

Tina Amo has been writing business-related content since 2006. Her articles appear on various well-known websites. Amo holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in information systems.

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